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goahead asked

What to buy: Multiplus II GX without bluetooth and MPPTs

Hi all,

I have an MP2 GX without Bluetooth (only one ve.direct port).

I need to buy an MPPT.

I have an MP2 connected to HomeAssistant and DVCC with voltage, current and temperature collection from the BMS sensors with Vbus-can. I don't need to check the parameters with the Victron Android app. For me, Home Assistant is enough for monitoring and VRM Portal.

1- Should I choose a SmartSolar or a BlueSolar?

2 - If I choose BlueSolar, connected with Ve.Direct to the MP2, will the MPPT be controlled by the MP2?

3 - Can I configure the BlueSolar in the VRM portal? (upload and download the configuration without MK3)

4 - If in the future I add another MPPT (the MP2 only has 1 Ve.Direct port), can I install a USB Hub and Ve.Direct-USB cables to interconnect all the BlueSolar MPPT and MP2 GX?
5 - If question 4 is possible, will all MPPTs work as a "network" controlled by MP2 GX just like bluetooth network does?

Let me know my best options before I spend some money :)

Multiplus-IIMPPT Controllers
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2 Answers
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nickdb answered ·

So, don't mix wired and blueteeth smart networks simultaneously, as it can cause conflicts, and GX's don't support Victron devices connecting via bt anyway.

Stick to smartsolar, it gives you options when there are problems, but a connected non-bluetooth device can still be configured via the app, using VRM as a proxy. Since VC app is required regardless, I would just get the blueteeth version, you aren't going to save much anyway.

Anything connected to the GX will be managed, you will enable DVCC, if it is not already on.

Yes, you can use a hub, there is guidance for that in the manual and on community posts.

You can also disconnect the internal GX and add an external Cerbo/Ekrano, if you wanted to, these are faster with better connectivity.

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goahead answered ·

Thx @nickdb

Price wise, I understand that there is no big difference from bluesolar.
I just dont see any big benefit using smartsolar, beside being able to configure, update and check it via bluetooth...but maybe this is already a big plus or I am missing something here.
I have DVCC on, so I will not be able to use Bluetooth smartnetwork anyway.

External Cerbo is not in my plans for now :). Small system, with just one Multiplus and one battery.
Maybe in a near future when I add more then one MPPT, I may upgrade.

Have to decide.

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nickdb avatar image nickdb ♦♦ commented ·

If for some reason you lose connectivity being able to use the app locally is a big plus. It also provides some good troubleshooting info, so is worth having, even if you don’t plan to use it often.

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